Lib Dem supported BNP bid for council

A leading Liberal Democrat councillor who signed papers nominating a member of the British National Party for next month's local elections is waiting to hear his fate after being suspended.

Conservatives demanded that Sir Menzies Campbell strip Steve Jones of his party membership because of his support for the BNP candidate Daniel Brown.

Mr Jones resigned as leader of the Liberal Democrats on Darlington Borough Council on Wednesday. A statement by the local party chairman admited that he had "made an error of judgement in signing the nomination paper".

Francis Maude, the Tory party chairman, said: "Menzies Campbell must get off the fence and sack Steve Jones. He must send a clear message to the rest of his party that racism will not be tolerated by expelling this councillor from the Liberal Democrats." The Liberal Democrats should wake up to the danger posed by the extremist BNP, he said.

Edward Davey, chief of staff to Sir Menzies, said: "The Liberal Democrat Party in no way endorses and indeed repudiates the policy platform of the BNP whose views we find repugnant in every aspect. We will investigate the circumstances of this case immediately and thoroughly."

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